GRADUATE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
University of San Francisco, School of Management
Meet the GBA Team of 2016
The Graduate Business Association is student-run organization that serves as an advocate for students to enhance the MBA experience at USF. We promote a vibrant educational community for students by supporting the USF MBA clubs, advancing alumni relations, and hosting both social and professional events.
Manan Gandhi
President
I finished my undergraduate degree in Finance and I was working in the real estate sector in India before coming to the bay area.
I am a firm believer of the Stakeholder theory by Edward R. Freeman and I chose University of San Francisco for my MBA because of its strong mission of creating a more humane and just world. Some of my responsibilities as an officer of the GBA are to set goals and vision for the association, to facilitate communication with other student organizations at USF, and to work with the administration on special projects/events. I thoroughly enjoy working with the committee and I am fortunate to have a very knowledgeable, respectful and effective team.
In more casual words, I am a very friendly and approachable person so feel free to contact me with any questions, advice, or if you just want to have a conversation. Happy to help!
Burak Karayel
Vice President
Information Technology
I am an aspiring international student from Turkey, pursuing my MBA at USF.
After working for nearly half a decade in the IT industry as a software developer and mobile app developer, I moved to San Francisco to feed my entrepreneurial ambitions.
As VP of Information Technology, I hope to build digital experiences to facilitate student
life.
Akshat Patni
Vice President
Clubs & Associations
I am an International student from India. Having done my under graduation in civil engineering and construction management, I am here to pursue my passion in environment and sustainability. Hence I am doing a dual degree in Environmental Management.
My role as the VP of Club & Associations is to act as a Liaison between all club and association heads and the GBA, assist students interested in establishing any new clubs or associations, help them in the transition process and make sure they are adhering to club rules in the by-laws and are active.
Farzia Kaufman
Vice President
Career Development
I am an enthusiastic Chicagoan with a passion for adventure. As I pursue my MBA at the University of San Francisco, I aspire to enhance my operations management and strategic business development competencies and explore the application of these skills in industry leading companies that are challenging the status quo and embracing the next generation of technological innovations. As VP of Career Development, I serve as the liaison between the student body and our Graduate Career Management team to promote events and professional development opportunities that prepare and propel USF MBA graduates in to the next step in their career.
Jaymie Vaz
Vice President
Marketing
This here, is the face behind the Navigator and most of the random emails you will ever receive. Now you know who to blame J
After a really long and random path, I am here at USF to get my MBA in Media Marketing to help me break into the Game Industry. As is expected, I am an avid gamer and by extension a voracious reader. I also love to cook. Which usually means that Board Game night at my house is really epic.
As the VP of Marketing, I am going to try my absolute best to keep you updated with what is happening in the School of Management, as well as do everything I can to keep you updated on what is happening in the larger Campus. My goal is not only to help you hear about events, but to make heard what kind of events you want. Please do reach out to me, or any other GBA member to tell us what you would like to be a part of and we will try to make it happen.
So please, do my sore fingers a favor, and take a gander at the Navigator. I aim for it to be a highlight of my mediocre writing career.
Enzo Brana
Vice President
Finance
I am currently an international Full-Time MBA student from the Philippines. I worked as an auditor in the financial services industry for a few years before I decided to take the plunge and move to San Francisco for my MBA degree. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and for better or worse, I also caught that enterprising bug. I want to be immersed the entrepreneurial spirit of this city and surrounded by all the technology and innovation that one can only find in the Bay Area. As VP of Finance, I plan to support all the other members of the GBA in their respective functions.
Anson Sando
Vice President
Alumni Relations
An avid Murakami fan, I originally hail from India. I am a travel enthusiast and decided to move half away across the world to the United States to pursue my dream of working in the renewable energy sector, which is thriving ever so rapidly here in the sunshine state of California. I hold the post of the Vice-president of Alumni relations and essentially serve as the liaison between the alumni relations department and the current MBA students. I hope to connect the students with our great alumni network and provide a platform to engage in meaningful conversations and help build long lasting connections.
John Lambert
Vice President
Student Life
Prior to coming to USF, John spent a decade in healthcare. He started in the Navy where he served in Iraq as a corpsman practicing emergency medicine with a Marine infantry battalion (3/5). He moved to healthcare operations at VA hospitals in Los Angeles and Palo Alto, focusing on process improvement and durable medical equipment supply chain management. A native of Los Angeles, John has lived with his wife in San Francisco since 2013 and is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in history. With his MBA, he plans to continue in healthcare operations management… or become an astronaut. Either will do.
Celenia Tapia
Vice President
Part-Time Students
I am a native of Arizona and am very grateful to have the opportunity to pursue my MBA at the University of San Francisco. My goal while attending the university is to grow both personally and professionally and to bridge opportunities between the business community and the underprivileged to really bring light to the USF motto, Changing the World From Here. Currently I serve as the Vice President of Part Time Students (Students taking Evening Classes), I am the liaison between the full time and part time cohorts and facilitate the engagement of these two groups. I also bring opportunities for networking to the Part Time Cohorts. I am greatly looking forward to working with both students and faculty to bring great things to the program.